Police concerned about exploitation of vulnerable girls in residential care

The 18-year-old man, who The Courier has chosen not to name, appeared at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

He was granted bail with the support of youth services and conditions he not contact the girl.

The court heard police had identified the girl as a child in residential care at risk of being sexually exploited.

The police informant said a family violence intervention order was served on the man stating he must not communicate or meet the girl.

In March, the two were observed together and during an interview the accused said he had sex with the girl.

In April, police found the two were communicating via mobile phone, in breach of the intervention order.

The young man was arrested for sexual penetration of a child under 16 and persistent breach of an intervention order on April 29 and bailed.

The court heard the day after his arrest, the man continued phone contact with the girl.

"Police are concerned the accused continues to communicate with a vulnerable 15-year-old despite an intervention order," the informant said.

"Police are highly concerned about the girl's vulnerability to sexual exploitation."

The man's defence lawyer said the 18-year-old had no prior convictions and had spent one night in custody.

The court heard he had a stable residential address in Black Hill.

Magistrate Letizia Torres granted the man bail with conditions he not contact the girl and he engage with youth support services.

"I would like them to talk with him about what is going on in his life and why this behaviour is not appropriate," she said.

The 18-year-old will return to court in August.

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